{
  "id": 15813125,
  "title": "Sony Updates the Walkman As a $5,900 Gold-Plated MP3 Player",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/20/sony-updates-the-walkman-as-a-5-900-gold-plated-mp3-player-15813125",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-10-20T22:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Slashdot",
    "slug": "slashdot",
    "url": "https://hardware.slashdot.org/story/26/10/20/1923237/sony-updates-the-walkman-as-a-5900-gold-plated-mp3-player"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Sony has reintroduced its Walkman series with three premium Android-powered music players, priced from $1,900 to $5,900. The most luxurious model, the gold-plated NW-WM1ZM3, boasts 256GB of storage capacity. The new lineup includes the NW-WM1AM3 and the NW-ZX900. These devices can accommodate various audio formats, such as MP3, WMA, FLAC, Direct Stream Digital (DSD), and Apple Lossless, while minimizing sound artifacts through innovative techniques.\n\nSony emphasizes the use of oxygen-free copper components in the Walkman models, claiming these materials contribute to an uncompromised sound quality. The devices also feature gold-plated screws, which provide a stable ground connection, enabling powerful bass, expansive soundstage, and smooth high frequencies. Additionally, the cabling integrated into the devices further reduces noise and preserves signal integrity for rich, detailed audio output.\n\nTo further enhance the listening experience, Sony has incorporated Bluetooth connectivity, allowing users to access streaming music services alongside wired headphone ports. All three models are Wi-Fi enabled and USB-chargeable, with Sony asserting that their batteries can deliver 30 hours of music playback. The Walkman series can be purchased directly from Sony's US website, where details about each device's specifications and features are available.",
  "summary": "Sony has revived its Walkman lineup with three Android 16-powered high-end music players ranging from $1,900 to $5,900, topped by the gold-plated NW-WM1ZM3 with 256GB of storage. The Register reports: The Japanese giant named the new models the NW-WM1ZM3, NW-WM1AM3 and NW-ZX900. All can store and play many codecs, including MP3s, WMA, and FLAC files, plus others like Direct Stream Digital (DSD)…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}